Driving device for weaving looms

ABSTRACT

The invention pertains to a driving device for weaving looms, consisting in a flywheel driven by a motor, between this flywheel and a shaft, an electromagnetic coupling and between this shaft and the loom crank-sfat proper, a planetary drive, the crankshaft carrying the satellite cog-wheels.

United States Patent [191 Steverlynck [111 3,805,849 L451 Apr. 23, 19741 DRIVING DEVICE FOR WEAVING LOOMS [75] Inventor: Bernard Charles-LouisSteverlynck,

leper, Belgium [73] Assignee: Weeiautomater Picanol, NoamlozeVennootschap, leper, Belgium [22] Filed: Feb. 28, 1972 21 Appl. No.:229,779

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 3, 1971 Belgium 763697 [52]US. Cl 139/1 R, 139/336, 139/341 [51] Int. Cl. D03d 51/02, D03d 51/40[58] Field of Search 139/1 R, 1 E, 336, 341

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,753,894 7/1956 Lovshinet al 139/1 E 3,570,550 3/1971 Bndzyna 139/] R 3,181,573 5/19653,565,126 2/1971 3,613,742 10/1971 Ainsworth 139/341 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 1,541,187 8/1968 France 139/341 538,575 3/1922 France 139/1E Primary Examiner-James Kee Chi Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Richards andGeier; V. Alexander Scher [57] ABSTRACT The invention pertains to adriving device for weaving looms, consisting in a flywheel driven by amotor, between this flywheel and a shaft, an electromagnetic couplingand between this shaft and the loom cranksfat proper, a planetarydrive,the crank-shaft carrying the satellite cog-wheels. r

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures DRIVING DEVICE FOR WEAVING LOOMS Thisinvention covers a driving device for weaving looms.

It is notorious that conventional looms with flywheel and brake mounteddirectly on the crank-shaft bring about a good many problems, moreparticulary due to the vibrations to which the drawer is subjected. Suchvibrations are chiefly ascribable to the slowing-down of the crank-shaftwhen the thrust occurs, which results in deflections of the drawer tracksuperposing themselves to the normal deflections caused by the to an fromotion of the drawer. Considering that the shuttle leans against thereet during its thrust, the aforesaid vibrations cause untimelydeviations in the run of the shuttle. This reduce the weaving speedquite considerably.

In conventional looms it is also very difficult to achieve a stoppage ofthe loom before the front dead point, for instance after detecting awarp or pick rupture, owing to the inertia of the driving device and ofthe mechanical connections between the controllers and the brake. It wastherefore customary to use very stronly prestressed brakes.

This and also other drawbacks are ruled out by the present invention. Tothis end a driving device is presented which consists essentially of aflywheel driven by a motor; between this flywheel and a shaft, anelectromagnetical coupling; and between this shaft and the loomcrank-shaft proper, a planetary drive, in which the crank-shaft carriesthe satellite cogwheels.

According to an adequate execution alternative of this device, it isfurther completed by a brake and a planetary drive, which enables toachieve a back run at reduced speed.

Such an alternative execution is described below for informationpurposes,with reference to the attached drawings.

Herein:

FIG. 1, shows half in lateral view and half in axial section a drivingdevice according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a programming drum in axial section;

FIG. 3 shows a block-diagram of the sterring unit;

FIG. 4 shows a block-diagram of the capacity unit, and

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of the shuttle control mount- The steering deviceshown in the drawings consists of a coupling proper, a programming drum,a steering unit and a capacity unit. These constitutent parts aredescribed hereunder one by one, with specification of their working.

Coupling In the common housing 1 with central shaft 2, a free rotatingflywheel 3, driven by the loom motor 3a via belts 4, is set up. Thisflywheel 3 is directly connected with a rotor 5, which rotates with aslight air cleft around a fixed coupling spool 6. Rotor 5, on one sidethereof, is fitted with a brake coat 7. With a cog-wheel 8, securedon'shaft 2, a crown 9 interlocks and an annular disc 10 .made of softiron, is attached onto it.

At one end of crank-shaft 11 a satellite carrier 12 is attached, onwhich three satellite cog-wheels 13 rotating freely are set up. Thelatter interlock, on the one hand, with a crown I4, and on the'otherhand,.with a cog-wheel .15 secured'on shaft 2. When spool 6 isenergised, shaft 2 is driven at the same speed as the flywheel 3, whilethe crank shaft 11 is set in a revolving Start-stop motion at a speedratio of A or il/5 according to the choice of the satellites l3 and thecrown 14. Brake.

Opposite to the soft iron disc 10 a spool 16 is set up whcih is firmlyconnected with housing 1 and is provided with a braking coat 17. Whenthis spool 16 is energised, shaft 2 is braked.

Back run coupling To the flywheel 3 a cog-wheel 18 is attached, whereasshaft 2 carries a coupled crown 19 attached thereto. Between cog-wheell8 and crown 19 three small satellite cog-wheels 20 are provided. A softiron ring 21 is connected spring-wise with these satellites. Opposite tothis ring is spool 22, with braking coat 23, connected with housing 1.When spool 22 is energised, ring 21 is tightened and holds thesatellites 20. This causes crown 19 to be driven in the oppositedirection in respect of flywheel 3. The central shaft 2 transmits thismotion with a second slow-down (l2l5) to the crank-shaft 11.

Programming drum At the other'end of the crank-shaft 11 a ring 24, madeof magnetical material, is attached which, on the one hand, carriesasmall magnet 25 and, on the other hand, two annular metal discs 26 and27 with hollowed part. These discs 26 and 27 are adjustable onthecircumference of ring 24 and are clinged in the desired position by aclosing part 28, which carries a disc 29 divided into 360. A fixed arrow30 enables to read the adjusted angle position. On the fixed outer ring31 one or several adjustable spools 32 are set up. During the weavingcycle, the small magnet 25 passes every time along the spool (s) 32 at apre-adjusted crank-shaft angle, thus inducing a tension in the same.

Opposite to discs 26 and 27 the proximity switches 33 and 34 arepositioned, consistingof oscillators which can be clamped in a givenarea due to the proximity of not hollowed parts of the discs 26 and 27.During every revolution of the crank-shaft these oscillators are thusdamped periodically on a certain numberof degrees and set free again.Steering unit.

In the alternative execution now described, the steering unit isequipped with five pressure key switches 35 start, 36 stop," 37 backwardposition 38 slow forward position and 39 single shot. When theconnection shown on FIG. 3 is put under tension, the bistable sets 40,41 and 42 take a preferential position, so that the outlet to thecoupling and brake is at 0 level. This energises brake spoolv 16, whilethe coupling spools 6 and 22 remain currentless. The loom is then inbraking position.

On pushing in switch 35, a 0 pulsion is added via diode 43 to bistable41 A, which is tied up at outlet 0 of bistable 40 D availableoncondition that bistable40 is not steering. This brings the 0 outlet ofbistable 41 C on 1 and this position is supplied via diode 44 to thebrake unit which is put out of action at once. The same signal l isdelivered via zener diode 45 in order to steer the coupling spool onfull current and to enable the loom to start quickly. Simultaneously,the 0 signal is delivered via diode 46 to bistable 47 B, whose outlet Dis thus carried to 1. v

The outlet D of bistable 41, arrive at 0sets up an 0 level on switch 36for performing the stoppage. If switch 36 is pusched in now, this "0value comes at the inlet A of bistable 47 via diode 48 and sets theoutlet D thereof on O."When magnet now generates a current pulse inmagnet 32 transistor 49 becomes conductive and transmits the 0 levelprevailing on switch 36 via diode to bistable 41 B, which tips back.Outlet C of bistable 41 is thus brought to nil, below the zener tensionof zener diode 45, causing coupling spool 6 to become currentless.Simultaneouslydiode 44 blocks up and brake 16 comes into action. Slowback run In neutral position, with brake 16 in action, the back run canbe started by pushing in switch 37, provided bistable 41 in C is at zeroand the locking of oscillator 14 in free. This locking works as follows:when oscillator 34 is in action, the zener diode 51 is blocked up.Transistor 57 is not conducted then and delivers a signal 1 to switch37. If the latter is pushed in, transistor 53 conducts and deliverssignal 0 of bistable 41 C, via diode 54, to bistable 40 C. The lattertips and delivers a signal l to 40 D. The loom then runs through thesatellits coupling 18-20 and at slowed-down rate until the crank-shaftreaches its rear position. At that moment, disc 27 will damp reactionspool 55 of oscillator 34, thus causing transistor 56 to becomecurrentless. The zener diode 51 then conducts and brings transistor 57in saturation, in consequence whereof a null pulse is sent via diode 58to bistable 40 which then tips. Slow forward run The bistable multi 42is connected with its outlet D, via diode 59 with the braking unit 16and via zener diode 60 with a steering step 61. In the preferentialposition (rest position) of bistable 42, a 0 level is originated at itslevel D. In order to allow bistable 42 to tip, it is necessary to supplyan 0 signal to B. This can be done by pushing in switch 38, providedthat transistor 68 is under conduction, in other words that neither thebistable 40 C via diode 62, northe bistable 41 D via diode delivers anull level on the basis of transistor 68. Now, when oscillator 33 isdamped by disc 26, a 1 level is supplied via zener diode 64 at the basisof transistor 65 which becomes conductive. A signal 0 is thus deliveredvia diode 66 to the basis of transistor 68, thus preventing the bistable42 from being tipped by push button 38. The 0 level which is suppliedsimultaneously via diode 67 to bistable 42 in A locks the latter. Incase oscillator 68 is free, transmitter 69 takes in current, thuscausing transistor 65 to bethe cathodes of diodes 66 and 67. Now thebistable 42 in B can receive a 0" signal by means of switch 38, causingoutlet D to come to 1. This level is, on the one hand, supplied viadiode 59 to the braking unit 16, which falls out of action and steers,on the other hand, the steering step 61 via the zener diode 60, so thatthe coupling is carried out with limited current.

The loom runsslowly forward as long as oscillator 33 is in the free areaor hollowed part of disc 26. At a given moment, oscillator 33 is dampedby disc 26. This causes transistor 69 to become currentless and a levell to come via zener diode 64 at the basis of transistor 65, which willsupply current andvdeliver a 0 level via diode 67 to bistable 42 A. Itsoutlet D comes to 0," causing brake 16 to come. into action and steeringstep 61 to become currentless. The same null level of transistor 65 andprevents the loom, upon new pushing in of switch 38, from continuing torun. It is possibe to tip bistable 42 only after having eliminated thedamping of oscillator 33 by one of the other functions which get theloom moving.

I Single shot The outlet D of a monostable multi 70 is connected tobistable 47 A via a diode 71 and to bistable 41 A via a diode 72. Byoperating switch 39, 47 A can be brought to 0, provided that transistor73 is conductive, which is possible only in case no 0 level is suppliedat the basis of transistor 73, via the locking diodes 74, and 76, whichmeans that the loom is at a stop. In case multi 70 is taken out of itsstable position by a 0" level at 70 A, a 0 level is originated duringthe unstable position at outlet 70 D which, on the one hand, delivers astarting impulse via diode 72 to bistable 41 A and, on the other hand, astopping impulse via diode 71 to bistable 47 A. This prepares thestopping function, considering that outlet 47 D comes on 0 and thatspool 32 causes a stop upon the first passage of the small magnet 25. Inorder to warrant the shot, it is necessary to keep up the startingimpulse via diode 72 for a sufficiently long time until spool 32 isinduced a first time without consequence, since the position of bistable41 cannot be modified as long as 41 A remains at 0. After the firstpassage of the small magnet-25,

multi 70 tips back into its stable position and frees inlet 41 A,causing the-loom to stop after the first thrust. Warp controller i Theswitch 73 which can be controlled by a wellknown warp controller, hasexactly the same action as switch 36.

Pick controller The pick controller will be preferably of the same typeas described in another application handed in by the Applicant. Itincludes an oscillator 74with transistor 75'. As long as the latter doesnot conduct any current, a 1 tension comes via the zener diode 76 whichkeeps transistor 77 in conduction, thus bringing a level 0 on diode 78.In case a pick rupture is detected, the basis of transistor 77 receivesa signal 0 and falls out of conduction; the leap l at diode 78 isdelivered at the inlet 41 A, causing the loom to come to a stop. Due tothe fact that in case of a start from the rear dead point of the drawerno pick thread comes under the needles, which would bring about astoppage, the pick controller is put out of action during the first shotby means of a slowing-down element, for instance the monostablemultivibrator 79, which in case of starting via diode 80, is tipped outof its stable position and which, during a lapse of time correspondingto the crank-shaft revolution, forms a 1" level at 79 C which isdelivered at the basis of transistor 77.

Shuttle control- The execution of this device must be of an electronicnature and may, in addition to the design described hereunder, whichshould be considered as an example, eventually be of the same nature,just as any of the existing and well-known plants. Let us quote as anexample two spools 81 and 82 are inserted in drawer 83 symmetrically tothe middle of the run, taking into account the position of a magnet 84provided in the shuttle 85 (FIG. 5). Two .spools86 and 87 are providedon disc 31, so that the magnet 25 passes here, viz. at i, (rear positionof drawer) and at t 230.

During the forward run the emitter side of transistor 88 is at 0." Whenspool 86 is induced, transistor 88 becomes conductive during the impulseand supplies the 0 level via diode 89 at the inlet A of bistable 90.

This originates a 0" outlet at 90 D. If this position is not modified,transistor 91 will become conductiveat the moment of the impulse inspool 87 and will deliver the 0 position at inlet B of bistable 41. Thisoriginates an 0 at 41 C which cuts out the coupling via steering step 92and switches in the braking unit via diode 44. However, if, during therun in spool 81 (left' right run of right left), a tension is timelyinduced in the passage direction by the small magnet 84, transistor 93(94) becomes conductive and delivers a 0 via diode 95 at inlet B ofbistable 90. The latter then tips back and cancels the positionoriginated by spool 86. Outlet 90 D gets a l value and transistor 91cannot be made conductive when the small magnet passes in front of spool87.

Safety in case of current interruption With the emitter of transistor 49a normally closed contact 96 is connected from a 24 V relay which isdirectly linked up with a 18 V secondary winding of the feedingtransformer. in normal operation, this contact is therefore open. Assoon as the current falls, 96 closes, causing transistor 49 to bebrought to 0 level. The whole electronic connection has sufficientreserve through unloading of condensers (see further on: capacity unit)to allow the normal stop function to work at the right moment and tomake sure in this way that even in case of current interruption theshuttle 84 is in one of the boxes 97, 98 at the moment when the loomcomes to a stop.

Capacity unit (FIG. 4)

Transistor 98 is locked by a negative tension which arrives at its basisvia resistance 100. A current can then flow through resistances 101 and102, basis and emitter of transistor 103, resistance 104 and condenser105. The collector current originated accelerates the loading ofcondenser 105 up to the potential, while the UJ. transistor 106 becomesconductive. The current impulse originated in spool 107 delivers apositive im pulse, to the secondary side on the gate of thyristors 108and 109, which, when a positive tension comes on their anode,alternatively feed braking spool 16 as steered rectifiers.

When a 1 level is delivered to one of the diodes 110, 44 and 59(emanating form the'bistables 40, 41 and 42 respectively) and the basisof transistor 99, the latter becomes conductive and is steered insaturation. in consequence thereof the collector potential dropsapproximatively to the emitter potential: transistor 103 gets no morebasic current and resistance 104 and condensor 105 becomev currentless.Thus .the positive pulses disappear on the gates of thyristors 108 and109 and the braking spool 16 is energised no more. In case the 1 levelcomes from 41 C, it comes through the zener diode 45 and the transistor111 which steers transistor 112 in saturation, causing the frontcoupling spool 6 to drawfull current and to transmit the maximum couple(forward run). In case the I. level comes from 42 D (forward position),transistor 113, via zener diode 60, becomes conductive while however thecollector current is restricted. Transistor 112 then allows a lowercurrent to pass to spool 6.

This current is regulated so that a slipping coupling transmission isoriginated and consequently a slowed-- down motion of the drawer to theforward position. If finally level l of 40 C (backward position) comesvia zener diode 114, transmitter 115 becomes conductive and bringstransistor 116 in saturation, which delivers maximal current through theback flow spool 22. The latter locks the satellites 20 of the planetarybackward run drive and originates a slowed down backward run of thedrawer.

As soon as the feeding tension is supplied, condenser 117 is loaded viaresistance 118 and diode 119. Condenser 117 forms a power reserve whichwill be used upon breaking of the loom. As soon as one of the sets 40,41, 42 tips, this originates a 0 level which causes transistors 113, 111and to become currentless and a coupling to be cancelled. Simultaneouslythe basic current of transistor 99 is interrupted via diodes 110, 44 or59, causing the collector current to be cancelled by leaps and the basiccurrent of transistor 103 can be originated again via resistances 101,102, 104 and condenser 105.

The sudden potential leap via resistance 101 is transmitted to condenser120, which delivers a positive 7 pulse on the emitter of the U.J.transistor 121. In consequence thereof, a current leap is originated viatransistor 121 in spool 122, which originates a positive pulse in thesecondary. The latter opens the gate of thyristor 123, causing condenser117 to unload in braking spool 16. Meanwhile the maintenance current issupplied by thyristors 108 and 109, as described hereabove.

This unloading of the condenser loaded at high tension brings about avery quick braking action through shortening of the area in which thesubsiding coupling spool current and the rising braking spool currentcounteract mutually.

The advantages which the device described hereabove affords to a more orless large extent with respect to the conventional drive are numerousand may be summarized as follows:

higher stability in drawer, owing to less deviation of the common rotarymotion.

less slowing down caused by the thrust and consequently less vibrationin the drawer during the shuttle stroke.

less current variations through drawer motion and consequently lessheating and smaller motor.

planetary transmission and consequently less volume and less axialpressure.

start from any crank-shaft position same thrust on first shot as insubsequent run.

quick braking, owing to stricter over-tension followed by lowmaintenance current.

possibility of adjusting different lbraking angles.

direct connection of electro-mechanical pick controller with stop at320.

direct connection of electric or electro-mechanical warp controller. v Ibackward run at slow speed outside thrust area with adjustable locking.forward run at slow speed outside thurst area with adjustable positionfor pulling through.

single shot by push button from any stop position.

no loading of shuttle through thrust-clack.

less noise.

control on'shuttle speed with a very small risk area.

possibility for higher speed or better output.

locking against faulty service.

safety in case of current failure (no thread punch) safety on motorloading.

What 1 claim is:

1. In a weaving loom'having a motor and a crankshaft connected to saidmotor, a driving device comprising a first planetary drive on saidcrank-shaft, a flywheel driven by said motor, an intermediate shaft, anelectromagnetic coupling between said flywheel and said intermediateshaft, said electromagnetic coupling consisting of a fixed ring-shapedcoupling spool positioned about said intermediate shaft, a rotoroperatively connected with said flywheel, a ring-shaped soft iron disclocated close to a part of said motor and provided with a brakingsurface, a crown linked to said disc and a fixed cog wheel carried bysaid intermediate shaft and interlocked with said crown and a stationarybraking spool on the other side of said disc, wherein the ratio betweenthe rotary speed of said crank-shaft and the rotary speed of saidflywheel is betwen 4 to l and 5 to l.

2. Driving device according to claim 1 wherein said device being furtherequipped with a second planetary drive between the flywheel and the saidintermediate shaft, whose satellite cog-wheels can be locked against therotation around the latter by means of a back-run spool, thus enablingthe loom crank-shaft to be driven in the opposite direction withoutaltering the rotary direction of the flywheel.

3. Driving device according to claim 1, wherein the crank-shaft isequipped with a programming drum, consisting essentially of a ringfirmly linked up with the crank-shaft, on which at least on hollowedring-shaped disc is adjustably positioned and which furthermore carriesa small magnet; of a fixed ring carrying at least one spool which isperiodically influenced by the small magnet, and of at least one remoteswitch opposite to the said ring-shaped disc.

4. A driving device accordng to claim 1, comprising an electronicsteering unit steering said spools.

5. A driving device according to claim 4, comprising a capacity unitcontrolled by said steering unit and energizing said spools.

6. Driving unit according-to claim 1, wherein said braking spool isenergized when the speed of the shuttle does not tally with apredetermined limit value.

7. Driving device according to claim 6 wherein the said energising isdependent on the time elapsing between the moment when a signal isoriginated in a spool mounted on the drawer by a magnet positioned inthe shuttle and a signal originated in a spool of the abovementionedprogramming drum.

Patent No. 3,805,849 Dated April 23, 1974 lnventofls) BernardCharles-Louis Steverlynck It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

The assignee should read Weefautomaten Picanol, naamloze venootschap(Metiers automatiques Picanol societe anonyme) Sign! and Scaled thissixteenth D 3) 0f December 19 75 [SEAL] A nest:

RUTH C.MASON c. MARSHALL DANN Arresting ()jficer (ummissirmer nj'Patentsand Trademarks UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICll' CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPatent No. 5 5, 9 Dated Y April 25, 1971+ lnventofls) BernardCharles-Louis Steverlynck It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

On the Title page, In item the assignee should read as follows:

- Weefautomatent picanol, naamloze' vennootschap (Metiers automatiquesPicanol, sooiete anonyome) Leper Belgiwn Signed and sealed this 3rd dayof December; 1974.

(SEAL) Attest: McCOY M. GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALLL'DANN Attesting Officer 1Commissioner of Patents F ORM PO- T I UseOMM-DC 6037 6-P69 .5'.GOVERNMENT FRINTlNG OFFICE: a 9 o

1. In a weaving loom having a motor and a crank-shaft connected to saidmotor, a driving device comprising a first planetary drive on saidcrank-shaft, a flywheel driven by said motor, an intermediate shaft, anelectromagnetic coupling between said flywheel and said intermediateshaft, said electromagnetic coupling consisting of a fixed ring-shapedcoupling spool positioned about said intermediate shaft, a rotoroperatively connected with said flywheel, a ring-shaped soft iron disclocated close to a part of said motor and provided with a brakingsurface, a crown linked to said disc and a fixed cog wheel carried bysaid intermediate shaft and interlocked with said crown and a stationarybraking spool on the other side of said disc, wherein the ratio betweenthe rotary speed of said crankshaft and the rotary speed of saidflywheel is betwen 4 to 1 and 5 to
 1. 2. Driving device according toclaim 1 wherein said device being further equipped with a secondplanetary drive between the flywheel and the said intermediate shaft,whose satellite cog-wheels can be locked against the rotation around thelatter by means of a back-run spool, thus enabling the loom crank-shaftto be driven in the opposite direction without altering the rotarydirection of the flywheel.
 3. Driving device according to claim 1,wherein the crank-shaft is equipped with a programming drum, consistingessentially of a ring firmly linked up with the crank-shaft, on which atleast on hollowed ring-shaped disc is adjustably positioned and whichfurthermore carries a small magnet; of a fixed ring carrying at leastone spool which is periodically influenced by the small magnet, and ofat least one remote switch opposite to the said ring-shaped disc.
 4. Adriving device accordng to claim 1, comprising an electronic steeringunit steering said spools.
 5. A driving device according to claim 4,comprising a capacity unit controlled by said steering unit andenergizing said spools.
 6. Driving unit according to claim 1, whereinsaid braking spool is energIzed when the speed of the shuttle does nottally with a predetermined limit value.
 7. Driving device according toclaim 6 wherein the said energising is dependent on the time elapsingbetween the moment when a signal is originated in a spool mounted on thedrawer by a magnet positioned in the shuttle and a signal originated ina spool of the above-mentioned programming drum.